Sheikha Latifa, Noura Al Kaabi highlight UAE’s cultural vision at ICOM Dubai

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, and Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State, underscored the UAE’s commitment to shaping a future in which culture deepens connection and understanding.

They were sharing their viewpoints during a panel discussion titled ‘The Spirit of Exchange: The UAE’s Unique View on Cultural Diplomacy’ at the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM Dubai 2025).

The panel explored cultural identity, diplomacy and the evolving role of museums.

Al Kaabi noted that for the UAE, "cultural diplomacy is not something we speak about but something we actively practice. We work closely with institutions, such as UNESCO and ICCROM, focusing on capacity-building and long-term development". 

Sheikha Latifa highlighted that the exceptional agility of Dubai’s government plays a key role in strengthening the emirate’s cultural ecosystem. "Once the cultural strategy was drafted, all key decision-makers, from finance and legislation to policy and planning, came together at one table to review and refine it. The process was collaborative and efficient, ensuring that every gap was addressed and every opportunity strengthened before the strategy was elevated to His Highness  Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, for approval, reflecting a system built on clarity, agility, and mutual trust."

She emphasised that while the vision is set from the top, the strategy itself is shaped from the bottom up, informed by the insights and aspirations of the creative community. What makes this model truly effective, she added, is its inherent flexibility. Whenever an initiative requires adjustment, the team has the space to return to the leadership, present findings, and recalibrate the approach immediately.

"Our vision may begin at the top, but our strategies are built from the ground up, shaped by our community’s voice and strengthened by a system agile enough to adapt. This balance keeps people at the heart of everything we do," Sheikha Latifa added.

Noura Al Kaabi explained that this collective framework helped shape a unified cultural vision for the UAE that recognises the essential role of local authorities.

They both credited His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for reminding them that "the true measure of our success is the happiness and well-being of everyone who calls Dubai home, citizens, residents, and visitors alike. When people thrive, we know our work is on the right path".

She added that "cultural institutions have a responsibility to celebrate the individuality of their cultures and bring them to life in meaningful, authentic ways. She highlighted that the UAE remains among the few places where traditions are lived and practised daily, not as symbols of the past but as a natural part of contemporary life".